LOS ANGELES – One of the big challenges for USC and UCLA this week is to treat Saturday’s crosstown clash as if it were any other game – even though it’s not.

Former coach Pete Carroll tried to ensure his Trojans teams prepared the same for every game by portraying each week as a championship opportunity. Coach Steve Sarkisian, who worked on Carroll’s staff, has brought that same ideal to USC. Even though more media than usual attended Tuesday’s practice – and even though the players seemed more energetic and chatty – the Trojans promoted a business-as-usual approach.

“It’s definitely a bigger game than usual. But we’re not doing anything extra,” quarterback Cody Kessler said. “We’re not trying to do stuff differently than we’ve been doing all season.”

Sarkisian said he warned his players after Thursday’s game against Cal to be careful about what they say in interviews and on social media.

“But after that I really haven’t because it’s about who we are every day,” Sarkisian said. “As a Trojan, you live it every day. This isn’t a sometime thing. It’s an all-the-time thing.”

Coming off the field Thursday, tackle Zach Banner told the Los Angeles Times that USC still owns L.A. and that UCLA has “just been renting it.” Banner avoided the subject Tuesday.

“I’m not going to talk about that,” Banner said.

QUICK HITS

USC made its first appearance in the College Football Playoff rankings at No. 19. … Freshman tight end Bryce Dixon practiced, but his student-conduct issue has not been resolved, and it’s unknown whether he’ll be able to play Saturday. Dixon was unavailable against Cal, leaving USC with only one scholarship tight end. … Outside linebacker J.R. Tavai, out since the Oct. 25 game at Utah because of a knee injury, participated in team drills. It appears he’ll have a sizable role against UCLA. … Safety John Plattenburg, who missed last week’s game because of a deep thigh bruise, appeared to be moving well. He’s expected to return. … Defensive backs Leon McQuay III and Chris Hawkins practiced with yellow non-contact jerseys. … Right guard Viane Talamaivao had a wrap on his left hand after injuring it vs. Cal, but it didn’t seem to adversely affect him. … Damien Mama got some first-team reps at left guard. He was going to start at Washington State on Nov. 1 before hurting his knee.